EXPOSE ON THE ASSUMPTION OF PHYSICAL DIRECT INTERVENTION

By: Albert Gran

(An unveiling grace alternative study in view of traditional Physical-supernatural direct intervention in this age of grace) 

Philippians 2:25-30

King James Version (KJV)

 ²⁵Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but YOUR MESSENGER, and HE THAT MINISTERED TO MY WANTS.

 ²⁶For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.

 ²⁷For indeed HE WAS SICK NIGH UNTO DEATH: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

 ²⁸I sent him therefore THE MORE CAREFULLY, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.

 ²⁹Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:

 ³⁰Because for the work of Christ HE WAS NIGH UNTO DEATH, NOT RAGRDING HIS LIFE, to supply your lack of service toward me.

Beholders of signs often quoted these verses to really prove that God was still directly and supernaturally intervening in the physical realm. This traditional view was determined already upon preponderance of its supposed general accepted fact and also their supposed right basis of doctrine pertinent to the supernatural miraculous presentation per se by which God acted in this age of grace.

Let me expose to you brethren this very scenario in the situation which for me a very common situation which have had happened in reality of our existence in this age of grace. A great deal of consideration of what was really the reality in the present life, something must have been also a truthful basis in the mystery truth which was revealed to the apostle Paul. First of all let me point your attention to some basic truths pertinent to the significant doctrine distinctly classified as unique in our present age, the dispensation of Grace which was also unknown in the previous dealing of God in TIME PAST. This is the information where Christ through Paul charged us to give importance as to what was the ever will of God in this current dispensation which He wanted us to inculcate in our minds. It’s also  a means to educate our recent generation relevant this issue prior the rapture period.

In this case of Epaphroditus, let make it clear what was transpired in this particular situation seeing if there was supernatural direct intervention as was commonly and majority believed. Mine was to show to you what’s the real truth behind it. Please bear with me in the foregoing presentation.

In verse 25,we can  clearly understand the background of Epaphroditus as a brother, companion of Paul in labour,  a fellowsoldier , a Corinthian messenger  for Paul’s wants. It suggests his perfect characteristic as a faithful man of God as always behind Paul’s affliction being a prisoner of Christ.

 

 This Paul-Epaphroditus ministerial companionship has gone along way of experiences to what was the real scenario of life as also related to our present service for Christ. As reality of physical deterioration and as being prone for sickness, Epaphroditus met a circumstance in verse 26 as no record of intention as whether it’s for a matter of divine testing or punishment as what some preachers allegedly accused those who are sick Christians especially those who are cold wax in serving the Lord in their respective spiritual service much more those believers who are in the backslidden state. There was no superstition whatsoever in this real scenario of Epaphroditus’s case. In light with the natural situation of our devastated world supported in Romans 8, Epaphroditus’s illness was a common natural physical agony or infirmity which could happen to any believer in this present time of grace. In  Rom. 8:23 it says,  And not only they, BUT OURSELVES ALSO, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves GROAN WITHIN OURSELVES, WAITING FOR THE ADOPTION, to wit, the REDEMPTION OF OUR BODY.

 

Paul on the other hand attested the veracity of this prone natural condition to all present believers in this age of grace concerning the fact of our outer man. In 2 Corinthians 4:16 it says: For which cause we faint not; but though our OUTWARD MAN PERISH, YET THE INWARD MAN IS RENEWED DAY BY DAY.

 

Clearly sickness was a matter of reality in confirmation of this doctrinal acknowledgement which I believed per instruction from our Lord Jesus Christ himself. It thrive not refute, however admit that in truth it’s our natural common situation even you are serving the Lord in this spiritual ministry. Folks our outward man perish and this is the prone condition not by means of probability but with due certainty. What gets my attention in this verse was the daily renewal Paul described which caused me not only to think but to believe THIS IS HOW GOD INTERVENED in the area of our lives. The renewal process was also a thinking process wherein spiritual inputs of doctrines directed for us would mean a cause to live victoriously in this arena of life’s reality. Romans 12:2 says, And be not conformed to this world: but BE YE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOU MIND, that YE MAY PROVE WHAT IS THAT GOOD, AND ACCEPTABLE, and PERFECT WILL OF GOD.

 

Having this performing capacity as the instruction called for our obedience, Jesus Christ through facets of our spiritual blessedness (Eph. 1:3) have already put a designed confidence in believing and doing this direct command to renew our mind as this was the acme of God’s inner interventional dealing. This capacity of doing has the powerful basis from God’s interventional tool, His Holy Word known as the Holy Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16-17). This was far fetch different from a traditional idea that God can directly give you wisdom or guidance only by traditional cliché of doing much prayers, inner promptings, feeling spiritually fulfilled even not spending effort to read the source of wisdom which is the Word of God that effectually worked in us that believed (I Thes. 2:13).

 

THE BONE OF CONTENTION BETWEEN PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL INTERVENTION

What caught my fellow ministers to support their claim that God directly and spiritually caused physical intervention was found on verse 27 and I quote; For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: BUT GOD HAD MERCY ON HIM; and NOT ON HIM ONLY, BUT ON ME ALSO, lest I SHOULD HAVE SORROW UPON SORROW.

Their hermeneutical understanding with this verse was that there was a direct supernatural healing happened in response to the ailing condition of Epaphroditus when God had mercy on him. Let’s take some Pauline verses in the Bible how and in what manner God show His mercy to the believers in this age of grace.

 

 Ephesians 2:4
But God, who is RICH IN MERCY, FOR HIS GREAT LOVE wherewith he loved us,

 

1 Timothy 1:2
Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, MERCY, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

1 Timothy 1:16
Howbeit for this cause I obtained MERCY, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

 

2 Timothy 1:16
The Lord give MERCY unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:

 

Sincere student must deeply appreciate what’s that significant concept and common understanding as far as the demonstration of God’s mercy in this age of grace. Ask yourself what was the commonality of the sense or idea of God’s mercy? I found and believed this was as an extraordinary notion apart from what was traditionally believed especially in the case of Epaphroditus to mean Physical supernatural direct intervention. The mercy of God was placed on the account of the substitutionary work of Christ where God’s motivation of love and comfort was demonstrated to all and for all those who believe in order to produce joy and blessedness without ignoring the reality of sufferings. This is the inner comfort of God in us to remain consistent amidst the presence and power of sin that worked in the devastated creation and from among the evil corrupt nature of man. The mercy of God resulted to fruit of righteousness to respond in obedience after His plan and wise counsel.

 

Considerable facts stated below were believed to be nowhere Physical supernatural direct intervention occurred:

 

1.      Both Epaphroditus and Paul received the same mercy of God to mean Paul didn’t have any physical sickness required for healing.

 

2.      The verse didn’t show any proof that there was physical healing with Epaphroditus while Paul had his spiritual healing. 

 

3.      The commonality of God’s mercy even as also stated from the verses above were significant that it was for inner comfort in result of Christ’s substitutionary work through the Father’s love and kindness to us ward as per written in the Pauline epistle. I stressed Pauline epistle particularly on the account after the completion of the entire Scripture because God’s mercy in the past was by means of direct Physical intervention since they were called to hope for physical or material blessings.

 

STRONGEST PROOF WHY THERE’S NO PHYSICAL AND SUPERNATURAL INTERVENTION:

 

^{In verse 28 it says} I sent him therefore THE MORE CAREFULLY, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.

 

Let’s all be made clear in this matter brethren to consider the phrase as highlighted above. There was a long process of recovery which I believed happened in the case of Epaphroditus for the fact that when he was ready to render service and have got to go back to the Corinthians, though determined to see them, yet PAUL WAS ALL THE MORE CAREFUL TO SEND HIM THERE. If there was direct supernatural healing happened at the instance when he received mercy from the Lord then Paul would not care to send him THE MORE CAREFULLY or BEING FULL OF CARES to send him.  Same as true today the gradual process of recovery took place after we stayed on bed for several times and when you’ll allow him to travel far place you would be worried much for his physical condition. Folksthere’s no superficiality and superstition in this present age of grace. Let’s all face the real scenario that God was still actively involved in our physical realms but not in view of direct supernatural physical intervention. God worked in our inner man where God’s mercy shall produce joy despite sufferings and hardships. 

 

CONCLUSIVE STATEMENTS

 

Having this most appealing thought in appreciating His will over the entire creation and by applying what was transpired as not though only by word of man but as it is in truth the Word of God which worked in you that believe, it would far lead you to obtain life and peace in the reality of our life’s existence. This book of Romans is one of the most fascinating epistles of Paul which points out God’s distinctive program from ages past classified to our current spiritual ministration with the resumption of future prophetic truth concerning earthly plan through the conditions of physical if-then principle which had been prophesied and spoken by the mouth of His holy prophets since the world began. Let’s read Romans 8: 18-28.

    ¹⁸For I reckon that the SUFFERINGS OF THIS PRESENT TIME are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
 ¹⁹For the EARNEST EXPECTATION OF THE CREATURE WAITETH for the manifestation of the sons of God.
 ²⁰For the CREATURE WAS MADE SUBJECT TO VANITY, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
 ²¹Because the creature itself also shall be delivered FROM THE BONDAGE OF CORRUPTION into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
 ²²For we know that the WHOLE CREATION GROANETH AND TRAVAILETH IN PAIN together until NOW.
 ²³And not only they, BUT OURSELVES ALSO, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves GROAN WITHIN OURSELVES, WAITING FOR FOR THE ADOPTION, to wit, the REDEMTION OF OUR BODY.
 ²⁴For WE ARE SAVED BY HOPE: but HOPE THAT IS SEEN IS NOT HOPE: for WHAT A MAN SEETH, WHY DOTH HE YET HOPE FOR?
 ²⁵But if WE HOPE THAT WE SEE NOT, then DO WE WITH PATIENCE WAIT FOR IT.


Let this truth a more justifiable basis in view of your honest review and consideration. I hope and pray that this information will shed more light what’s that God's desire to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery in this present Gentile grace of God.


Grace and Peace

THE PURE GRACE SOLID PROOF ABOUT ROMANS 13

By: Albert B. Gran

My  post in this issue of  ordaining bishopric position rains negative comments from the traditionalists in every Christian page I'm joining with. Content of this  post section is the truth behind barring traditional confusion with the gist in Romans 13.

  

I would like to amplify my discourse in this wonderful issue so that these people who didn’t see the light of this teaching opposing hermeneutical interpretation of “higher powers” to mean government worldly authorities will acknowledge their wrong view and vow to what’s the truth behind it. This presentation goes now to the details in light with the context of Romans 13.

Originally the Bible or Holy Scripture was not separated according to chapters and verses thus it requires simple re-examination to read the prior verses in order to get the right gist of the issue in view of contextual consideration.

 Romans 12:16-17

King James Version (KJV)

 ¹⁶Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

 ¹⁷Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

This is a very clear picture of which Paul charged the Roman BOC believers to be of the same mind one to another to the point that  such would condescend or fit to men of low estate and not to be wise in their own conceits.

Verse 17 gave us the most striking idea not to recompense or an idea to avenge evil for evil however provide honest things in the sight of all men. So if Paul charge not to avenge evil for evil how can a believer avenge evil? Do you think a believer can avenge evil? These questions are very logical one’s we come to the exposition of this very interesting topic.

The real issue here was doing evil where a natural man ( unbeliever) has been prone for due to the vanity of his mind. So Paul warned the believers not to fight evil against evil and if possible live peaceably unto all men.

   ¹⁸If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, LIVE PECEABLY WITH ALL MEN.

Every believer as a profounder of righteousness has the capacity not to avenge or revenge evil for evil but contrarily live peaceably with all men. How is it made possible? It does not mean that man of God (the authority of God’s ordained ministers or even elite saints) can no longer recompense or avenge evil. Still we could do it by avenging evil BY DOING GOOD.

²¹Be not overcome of evil, but OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD.

This passage was very clear in posing right instruction how can we avenge evil and against evil doers. Simply put: “OVERCOME EVIL BY DOING GOOD AND NOT OVERCOMING EVIL BY EVIL.” In this way people of God can live life’s fullest tranquility in the presence of this evil and corrupt world. To simply realize the practicality of it Paul gave a very clear cut situation to remind every believer how this thing being made possible in the name of PEACE.

 ²⁰Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing THOU SHALT HEAP COALS OF FIRE ON HIS HEAD.

If this attitude of believers reign in his life there would be no reason why one can’t live a peaceable life unto all men. This capacity was made possible by believers of the Body of Christ most especially the immediate addressee of this Roman epistle, the Roman believers.

In this presentation, we can now come up and drove the clearest picture how the apostle Paul through context reminded or instructed the saints to live a peaceable life towards evil men and evildoers in this world. In this picture we can understand two groups of people generally involved as cited in the context. First are the addressee, the saints or Body of Christ members and the second are the evil doers or people who were unbelievers specifically those that are in the world.

This very sense coined with church role significance importantly widen our understanding that when God ordained rulers or ministers, He himself of course, and obviously wouldn't and didn't  take those worldly evil and unbelieving rulers. These godly appointed rulers were those Body of Christ authorities whom we're called for in subjection of their authority governing the early saints in the edification process. It's noticeable in the early missionary journey of St. Paul where God set men as gifts to edify the church the Body of Christ.

To expound further let me take this very important verse for us to have a complacent idea by eradicating negative thoughts against this issue disseminating truth that the rulers in Romans 13 contextually exclusive in the government for the early Body of Christ. Let’s be Bereans to consider whether this presentation instill perfect soundness along this issue. The verse states and I quote:

   ¹⁹Dearly beloved, AVENGE NOT YOURSELVES, but rather GIVE PLACE UNTO WRATH: for it is written, VENGEANCE IS MINE; I WILL REPAY, SAITH THE LORD.

Why Paul says avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath? When Paul says avenge not yourselves it correlates the idea which he priory stated NOT TO RECOMPENCE EVIL TO EVIL but to give place unto wrath which give us a sense to avenge or recompense evil by overcoming it with good for someday, even as it was written, the Lord will show his vengeance or final punishment against evil doers in the Great white throne judgment.(Revelation 7:9)

True saints can be the only group to qualify the accurate manifestation of godliness amidst evil society especially in this present evil world whose god Satan blinded the minds of the children of disobedience.

As begin this study of Romans 13, we can now have the clearest picture that there are two groups of people, one is the group of rulers categorically SAINTS and the second are group of EVIL MEN and or evil people the natural men in this world who through their mind’s vanity walked according to the course of this world. 

I wonder why some antagonist traditional religious denominational believers took their hermeneutical interpretation out of the context by simply putting trust in the realm of administrative jurisdiction which categorically out from the will and mind of God.

We’ll begin Romans 13 simply in conjunction to the verses previously stated. I pray this long message of mine can open the eyes of our understanding to simply acknowledge what’s the true validity of our claims insisting the higher powers ordained by God as NOT THE WORLDLY GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES BUT THE REAL MINISTERS OF GOD WHO ARE TRUE AVENGERS OF EVILDOERS. Let’s consider the following:

   Romans 13

 ¹Let EVERY SOUL be subject unto the HIGHER POWERS. For there is no POWER BUT OF GOD: the POWERS THAT BE ARE ORDAINED OF GOD.

Brethren in the Lord, I already discussed to you that there are two groups of people in this context one is the “SAINTS” and the second is “THE EVILDOERS”. Now, carefully examine this verse and ask this question: To whom this instruction was addressed? To whom this “every soul” referred to? It’s apparent that contextually the “every soul” signifies the SAINTS who were called to OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD, NOT CALLED TO AVENGE EVIL BY EVIL BUT GIVE PLACE UNTO WRATH IN THE NAME OF PEACE AND TRANQUILITY.

The "every soul" in the context could impossibly mean all souls in the world including the natural men who are evildoers. Who will overcome evil without these people who could attest the true capacity of performing godly good works in order to live peaceably unto all men? In other words Paul addressed this Romans 13 to all believers to be subject unto the higher powers which are ORDAINED BY GOD.

Now that we know that the saints in Romans 13 were those who were addressed by Paul, then the next question was: What about the HIGHER POWERS THAT BE ORDAINED OF GOD? Let’s face the reality of what’s the context about whereby there were two groups of people involved in it which are generally between believers, the good doers and unbelievers who were evil doers. In my belief it’s illogical to give the meaning of HIGHER POWERS as GOVERNMENT WORLDLY AUTHORITIES AND SUCH SHALL BE CALLED ORDAINED POWERS OF GOD.

For saints, or the “every soul” who could truly be in subjection to true goodness against evildoers, must necessarily ascribe from the ordained higher powers of God, the rulers in the church who were His ministers. It’s impossible for these natural unbelieving men sitting in the ordained government authorities because they’re unbelievers and has no idea about the principle of true godliness in right spiritual perspective. If every saint is an avenger of evil by overcoming it by good these ordained ministers of God much more were avengers against evildoers. Please read it very carefully.

³For RULERS ARE NOT A TERROR TO GOOD WORKS, BUT TO THE EVIL. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

⁴For HE IS THE MINISTER OF GOD TO THEE FOR GOOD. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for HE IS THE MINISTER OF GOD, A REVENGER TO EXECUTE WRATH UPON HIM THAT DOTH EVIL.

It’s very sensible brethren upon considering this expose that rulers or God’s ministers in this context purely are the ministers in the church who are ordained by God especially in the early stage of the Body of Christ. He is a minister of God for” thee” (saint), the every soul FOR GOOD. But if “thou” (evildoer) do that which is evil BE AFRAID.

Antagonists and traditionalists simply cannot accept the fact that believer can avenge or revenge evil by doing good. Their minds are blundered having this doubt and questions such as: Can a believer or Minister of God can truly be an avenger of evil by good?” or Can truly be a believer overcome evil by good? If you noticed in my above explanation Paul in the context stated the real fact that a believer can overcome evil by good and at any rate can live peaceably towards all men.

To shut up the traditional ideologies of these unbelieving religious friends of ours, I’ll quote this passage of Paul in order to assert their allegation that it’s impossible for this ministers of God to revenge against evil doers. Read this passage carefully:

 2 Corinthians 10:4-8

King James Version (KJV)

 ⁴(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

 ⁵Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

 ⁶AND HAVING IN A READINESS TO REVENGE ALL DISOBEDIENCE, WHEN YOUR OBEDIENCE IS FULFILLED.

 ⁷Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? if any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.

 ⁸For though I should boast somewhat more of OUR AUTHORITY, WHICH THE LORD HATH GIVEN US FOR EDIFICATION, AND NOT FOR YOUR DESTRUCTION, I SHOULD NOT BE ASHAMED:

Dear readers of my simple article I would want you to be sensible considering this presentation of mine as really in truth in the name of standing the sound doctrine against the perverse thoughts of unbelieving antagonists who were traditionalists. Paul clearly emphasized that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through the God to the pulling of the strongholds. It means our battle is not between flesh and blood and thus if evil arise we will overcome it by the truth and goodness which is in us. This weapons are spiritual by putting our minds or imaginations in subjection to the KNOWLEDGE OF GOD (In the complete Holy Scriptures), and let our every thought to the obedience of Christ. It has nothing to the obedience of the government authorities and rulers in this world the children of disobedience who were ungodly.

The striking thing was the answer to the queries of many antagonists whether or not the believers and God’s ministers CANNOT REVENGE EVILDOERS. Paul says and please in tune your negative thoughts carefully as I write it in bold print:

 ⁶AND HAVING IN A READINESS TO REVENGE ALL DISOBEDIENCE, WHEN YOUR OBEDIENCE IS FULFILLED.

The saints or believers were told to be ready to revenge all disobedience (evildoers), when your obedience is fulfilled. This is the relative truth with this verse: 

Romans 12:21 BE NOT OVERCOME EVIL, BUT OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD.

God’s ordained ministers in the early stage of the BOC has more capacity to do this in fact believers were also have sufficient and enough capacity to overcome evil by doing good. If these are the worldly human powers and authorities what capacity do they have to overcome evil by good? Do they have the knowledge of God to manifest true godliness? That’s an irrelevant and illogical notion if we will hold such hermeneutical interpretation.

Lastly, I would like to pose the antagonists silence in order to settle the issue as to who truly were these ORDAINED MINISTERS OF GOD IN THE HIGHER POWERS? Let’s give sense to read continuously this wonderful book of paul to the 2 Corinthians parallel to this Romans 13.

 ⁸For though I should boast somewhat more of OUR AUTHORITY, WHICH THE LORD HATH GIVEN US FOR EDIFICATION, AND NOT FOR YOUR DESTRUCTION, I SHOULD NOT BE ASHAMED:

Paul clearly without doubt word for word attests the AUTHORITY, WHICH THE LORD HATH GIVEN US (The ministers of God, the rulers ordained by God in the higher powers), AND NOT FOR YOUR DESTRUCTION (for good as to “thee”, saints for good), I SHOULD NOT BE ASHAMED.

Every sensible believer will acknowledge this honest presentation of truth pertinent in this teaching that the HIGHER POWERS ORDAINED BY GOD are not the government authorities but the early church ministers of God set to edify the church the Body of Christ to wit:

 1 Corinthians 12:28

And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

Ephesians 4:11-12

King James Version (KJV)

 ¹¹And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

 ¹²For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Brethren let’s come unto perfection and if you found wholesome presentation in this humble presentation of mine admit in godly means that truth will prevail. Paul once said:

 2 Corinthians 13:8

For we can do nothing against the TRUTH, but for the TRUTH.

I bow my knees in the name of truth. Believe it and live with it.

I pray you in Christ stead. Consider these things and the Lord will give you understanding.

Grace and Peace to All !

SPEAKING OF LORD SUPPER: IS IT FOR THE BODY OF CHRIST OR FOR THE KINGDOM SAINTS?

By: Brother Albert Gran

This is an alternative comparative study where the issue of Lord Supper became a unified practice in the Christendom in our times.

Corinthians 11:15-33

King James Version (KJV)

 ¹⁵But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
 ¹⁶But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
 ¹⁷Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.
 ¹⁸For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.


The very cause why Paul wrote this Lord Supper was to readily respond to the issue of this Jewish practice or ordinance firstly instituted by Christ as thereby addressed to the disciples, the kingdom saints as they anticipate for the second coming of Christ prior the establishment of the kingdom. Corinthian believers customarily performed such practice for many of them were influenced under Jewish tradition most especially in this customary observance.


 ¹⁹For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.


These heresies came out to Paul’s ears relatively an issue that cause division which I believed the issue whether Lord Supper is an observance for the members of the BOC or something a commandment belonged to those kingdom saints from the past as per instruction of Christ during His earthly ministry. Hence, this traditional issue which are approved ( upon agreeable conditions) as per instruction was made manifest among you. So, Paul wanted to explain and give his advice for the settlement issue on the concept of this practice the Corinthian believers thought known as " The Lord Supper."   



 ²⁰When ye come together therefore into one place, THIS IS NOT TO EAT THE LORD SUPPER.


This is the passage showing Paul’s introductory statement declaring his verdict of the Corinthian believer’s participation in the conduct of supposed "BOC Lord Supper." This declaration was then a festivity of twist committed by the LS practitioners as though not listening to Paul when he MANIFEST IT AMONG THEM concerning this declaration as being approved by God. Ask yourselves what made Paul stressed this negative statement against the practice instead of promoting it? We can’t add up sense to the verse to mean that Paul want them to change their manner in practicing it for Paul never introduce any manner in the observance. Instead of connoting the sense of correcting the manner, Paul as what have been approved to address the heresies,  told them THIS IS NOT TO EAT THE LORD SUPPER. So according to Paul, what was approved then based from his judgement is likely an idea that Corinthians must not to do it or practice it. Take note and read the foregoing heresies on the next verses. 
   
 ²¹For in eating every one taketh before other  his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.


There is a good sense and understanding which the LS adherents never understand perfectly the words that Paul addressed for the Corinthians to give idea of what has been approved. The Corinthians conducted the LS in accordance to the Jewish tradition during supper time while the modern Christians do it any time of the arranged schedule. What was Paul heard about those heresies was that there were Corinthian believers who were hungry and some are drunken. This is the very reason why many of them are weak, many of them are sickly and many slept because of drunkenness(as found in verse 30) for they have no judgement among themselves. They didn’t discipline themselves. Most importantly, they thought that Lord Supper was a means or an occasion to fill their stomach and something to abuse whatever fleshly demand through excessive drinking and eating inside the church during fellowship. Instead of doing this purpose of Lord Supper in the church among the believers at Corinth, Paul advice to eat and drink in their houses to have a plain eating and take their own supper. For Paul, the thing about their practice in the church is not Lord Supper anyway, but only a plain eating and drinking causing weak, sleepiness and sickness people who turn out themselves to become immature in matters of spiritual disposition before God.


 ²²What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? what shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I PRAISE YOU NOT.



The purpose of LS on the account of the Corinthian’s customary practice for Paul is something UNWORTHY AND NOTHING TO BE PRAISED. Thus, Paul taught them what’s the significant account of it way back during the time of Christ when he instituted LS in the presence of His apostles. This revelation has no sense whatsoever addressing the Corinthian believers to conduct the practice for there was no command as such. Paul only told them that this was the right doctrine based from what he received from Christ to give them the exact sense of what was this LS all about. These LS institution account started from verse 23-29.


 ²³For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus THE SAME NIGHT in which he was betrayed took bread:


Who are Christ’s audience at this time in the night when He took bread? The disciples of course! The Kingdom saints. Did Paul said that I delivered this to you for you to practice the right way? No,either! Paul told them what’s the event on that same night Christ instituted the LS to the kingdom saints. or you may have a right manner of observing it?


 ²⁴And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.


The audiences of Christ in this verse are the same kingdom saints. They were called to remembrance what would like to happen when he die until the time when he comes in the second coming. You can see also this parallel truth in this verse found in  Matthew 26:26, then it reads:

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body


 ²⁵After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.


This is the blood of the New Testament which was clear stated in these passages .


Matthew 26:28
For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.


Mark 14:24
And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. 


This was a prophetic truth concerning Christ’s blood for the remission of sins for the nation Israel, though shared to Paul for the Corinthian church, yet something for them to be reminded what had happened in the actual deliverance to the kingdom saints, the 12 disciples on the account of Christ's earthly ministry.


 ²⁶For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.


This is the same significance when Christ instituted this things to the disciples because Christ of course told them that He will die and this must not be understood to mean this was addressed for the BOC members until the rapture. In fact all the way to the epistle of Paul you cannot read this command as a means to remember Christ’s death. 


Mat. 26:31-32 
Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I WILL SMITE THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK SHALL BE SCATTERED ABROAD. 


This is about the prophetic truth concerning Christ’s death. So Christ already told the disciples concerning his death and they’re going to do the participation of LS until His second coming. If these grace adherents or proponents of LS thought that there was no record that Christ told the disciples about His death they’re significantly wrong. Thus it’s really void to adhere these truth meant for the BOC members because there’s no record concerning this in the gospels.  

 ³²But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.

CONTINUING  DECLARATION

 ²⁷Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.


If we believed that the audience of Christ were the disciples or the kingdom saints, who do you think is unworthy or guilty of the body and blood of the Lord? So if it’s indeed the truthful account in this gospel occurrence, it would also best to let these grace believers who are like Jews to know who’s guilty at this time. Read these verses folks in Matthew 26:20-25:


²⁰Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.

 ²¹And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.

 ²²And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?

 ²³And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.

 ²⁴The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.

 ²⁵Then JUDAS, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, THOU HAST SAID.

These grace believers and many avid Christians nowadays believed that members of the BOC in their experiencial way of life, may often guilty of the blood of Christ and  therefore they must not be allowed to partake the Lord Supper during their regular initiation. The question is: As to what degree of experiential sins that the members of the BOC can’t be allowed to participate LS? Small sins and big sins experiencially were all the same sins before God. Do you think the Pastor who iniated the Lord Supper experiencially did not commit sin? Would it be okey to tell that Pastors can be called unworthy or guilty of the blood of Christ? If we focused this idea to the present sins we’ve committed who was worthy to initiate the Lord Supper. Are the Pastors worthy too?

Grace believers have lacked understanding in this parallel truth concerning someone who’s not worthy in this traditional practice. Those who adhere in this kind of practice were but just childish and don’t have understanding concerning our position and standing who we are in Christ. Positionally, we are already washed by the blood of Christ and we couldn’t be guilty of his death any more, instead, his death was our victory and his shed blood washed away all our sins. Christ already forgave our sins in Eph. 4:32. 

 ²⁸But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
 ²⁹For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.


Again this has in reference and significant for the kindom saints as there’s one there who’s not worthy to partake and it was Judas. How many Judasses in the grace circle who partake the Lord Supper? Brethren we are already members of the Body of Christ. This material practice and even believers experiential walk cannot take away from His real membership in the Body of Christ. Paul said we are COMPLETE IN HIM (Colossians 2:10).


 ³⁰For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
 ³¹For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.


Paul charged the Corinthians to judge or discipline themselves so they will not be judged.These are the reasons why hearesies came to Paul's ears.


 ³²But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.


Chastening of the Lord here does not indicate direct physical chastening which others and most theologians interpreted upon the reason where some Corinthian believers got sick, weak, and sleep. Chastening here refers to condemnation from the outsiders or unbelievers who watched the wrongful manner of life and walk in the supposed thinking of Lord Supper to be performed in the church resulting to drunkenness and gluttony as many went hungry.   


 ³³Wherefore, my brethren,  when ye come together TO EAT, TARRY ONE FOR ANOTHER.


This presentation is an alternative if you are sold out to the traditional practice of Lord Supper. Just secure what's the essence of your standard hope and position with Christ. To tell you my dear readers, your justification, fellowship and blessedness is a done deal issue, so GLORIFY GOD IN YOUR OWN BODY.


Grace and Peace!